BOSTON – Highlighted by strong pitching and clutch at-bats, the Boston University softball team started off the five-game homestand with a pair of one-run victories over Bryant Wednesday afternoon.
With the doubleheader sweep, the Terriers improve to 33-17, while the Bulldogs drop to 16-29. Sophomore
Kyomi Apalit plated both runs in the 2-1 game one victory with a two-out, two-RBI double during the second inning, and junior
Megan Coyle reached 50 RBIs on the year with a two-out, walk-off single that broke the 2-2 deadlock in game two.
In the circle, junior
Kasey Ricard (22-10) pitched four no-hit innings and went the distance with seven strikeouts against one walk and two hits. Freshman
Danika Nell (6-1) followed up in the rematch with her fifth complete-game performance of the season, tallying a personal-best 11 strikeouts against one walk and six hits.
GAME 1: BU - 2, Bryant - 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Ricard started the game with a pair of strikeouts and ended the second with two more, as the Bulldogs stranded a runner in scoring position.
- In the bottom half of the second, sophomore Sophie Naivar followed freshman Camryn Lyons' double with a one-out walk and then moved into scoring position on a ground out to set up Apalit's two-RBI double toward right center for the 2-0 lead.
- Naivar later hit a two-out double in the fourth before the Bulldogs earned a line out to end the threat.
- The Bulldogs led off the fifth with a single, but freshman Addie Lucier managed to pick off the pinch-runner at first base with sophomore Libby Walsh applying the tag.
- Bryant avoided being shut out in the seventh with a lead-off double, sac bunt and RBI grounder.
- Ricard sealed the win with a line out to center.
GAME 2: BU - 3, Bryant - 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Bulldogs threatened early in the second inning with a lead-off single, walk and successful sacrifice bunt to put two in scoring position.
- After Nell earned a strikeout, Bryant singled to left for a 1-0 lead and then struck out again to strand two on base.
- Naivar helped BU quickly erase the deficit by earning a two-out walk, advancing to third on sophomore Livia Christopher's single and then scoring on Apalit's RBI single to right.
- Bryant retook the lead in the fourth by starting the inning on back-to-back singles and then later plating a run on an RBI grounder.
- After Nell prevented further damage with two strikeouts, the Terriers needed little time to respond again, as Naivar and Christopher hit consecutive singles to set up junior Olivia DeLong's two-out, pinch-hit RBI single through the right side.
- The Bulldogs earned a two-out single in the sixth before flying out to right and then struck out swinging three times in the top of the seventh.
- Sophomore Kylie Doherty helped BU walk off victoriously by singling to left, advancing to second on junior Brooke Deppiesse's single and scoring on Coyle's RBI single to center.
UP NEXT
- BU will wrap the regular season by hosting Lafayette in a three-game series with Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's finale set for 12 p.m.
- Prior to Sunday's first pitch, BU will honor seniors Tyesha Williams and Sydney Pecoraro.
- The Terriers are 31-0 all-time in the series after sweeping the Leopards on the road last year by a combined score of 28-1.